Indian international
footballer Sandesh Jhingan has completed his transfer from ATK Mohun Bagan to HNK
Sibenik in Croatia’s top-tier league Prva HNL. The 28-year-old central defender
will be the first Indian to play in the top-flight of Croatian football and the
latest to ply his trade in Europe.

Goalkeeper
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu became the first Indian to play for a top-division
European club in 2014, when he signed for Norwegian club Stabaek.

Jhingan was
named India’s footballer of the year in a ceremony last month. He has already
travelled to Croatia and watched his new team’s home win against Hrvatski
Dragovoljac on Sunday.

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“We
expect good things from him as we have followed him on different platforms
where we were able to see his past performances,” PTI quoted Francisco
Cardona, CEO of HNK Sibenik as saying.

“Although
we know the adaptation process might take him a few weeks, we are confident
that with his quality and leadership, he will become an important member of the
team.

“He
made a very good impression on the staff and fans of the club when he was
watching the last home game from the stands. He showed passion and energy for
the team,” Cardona added.

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Jhingan was
excited to have the opportunity to move to HNK Sibenik in the Prva HNL in
Croatia.

“I
think I am at a stage of my career where I really want to test myself in the
highest-level possible and I think this is the perfect platform for me. As I
have said, it has been my desire to play in Europe and I have taken up this
challenge upon myself,” the top defender said.

“A big
thank you to the head coach Mario Rosas and the owners and management for
giving me the opportunity to come here. I cannot wait to get going and look
forward to giving 100 percent at every given opportunity,” Jhingan added.

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Meanwhile, the
club’s Spanish coach Mario Rosas lauded Jhingan’s move out of his comfort zone.

“We
are very happy that Sandesh is with us. We know he will help us achieve the
goals that we have set for ourselves during the season. His stint here will
help him grow as a player and person,” he said.

“We
hope that he will continue to be an example for Indian footballers. He has
demonstrated his ambition and competitiveness by wanting to get out of his comfort
zone and show what Indian footballers are capable of,” said Rosas.